GLAAD - Magic Johnsonhttp://www.glaad.org/tags/magic-johnson
enVIDEO: Magic Johnson's Christian faith and unconditional love for gay sonhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/video-magic-johnsons-christian-faith-and-unconditional-love-gay-son
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-0-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/EJ%20Magic%20and%20Wife.jpg?itok=9ZsABPsu" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Magic Johnson, a former NBA player, <a href="http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2013/12/03/magic-johnson-im-urging-people-just-to-get-tested-and-know-where-you-stand/">opened up to CNN's Anderson Cooper</a> about his son his son, Earvin Johnson III. He talked about how EJ's sexual orientation doesn't not change his support or his Christian religious beliefs. </p>
<p>Johnson said, "And I go to church, I'm a Christian, but the reality is, my son is gay. That is the reality. And I tell pastors that, I tell other pastors that. I tell black Christians who came out with me." The next thing Johnson was quoted saying was, "but I say, I love my son, nothing is going to change that." </p>
<p>He also commented that at the end of the day in his community, people need to start accepting those who are gay whether in their own families or in others. It's important for both communities members and families to support those who find the bravery to come out publicly about their sexuality. </p>
<p><img class="media-image media-image-right" id="2" style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; float: right;" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/magic-johnson-son-gay-ftr.jpg?itok=jtr-w47u" alt="" /></p>
<p>With regards to those that are opposed to LGBT people, Johnson said, "I don't care if you don't agree and you don't want to deal with me or don't like me, that is on you. But I said, tell me when it hits your own family, you know? Then you are going to have to make a decision." </p>
<p>Johnson and his wife Cookie had a similar interview with Oprah Winfrey on <a href="http://www.oprah.com/own-oprahs-next-chapter/Magic-and-Cookie-Johnson-Show-Their-Support-for-Their-Gay-Son-Video">Oprah's Next Chapter</a>. In the interivew with Oprah, Cookie spoke about how she knew, continued to love him, and supported him.</p>
<p>Lady Gaga tweeted that the Johnson's interview with Oprah, along with <a href="http://www.glaad.org/telltom">Tom Daley's coming out</a>, made this a "inspiring and brave week."</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en" xml:lang="en"><p>Between <a href="https://twitter.com/TomDaley1994">@TomDaley1994</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/MagicJohnson">@Magicjohnson</a> 's Oprah Interview about his son, what an inspiring and brave week!</p>
<p>— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) <a href="https://twitter.com/ladygaga/statuses/407652410719363072">December 2, 2013</a></p></blockquote>
<p>All that Magic and Cookie Johnson has mentioned is exactly what unconditional love looks like. Johnson has found a place in his life for both the love of his son, regardless of his sexual orientation, and also a place for his religious beliefs. It's important that Magic Johnson as a notable athlete came forward about both his support for his faith and his gay son. He showed to the sports world that he has place for both the LGBT community and his faith in his life.</p>
<p>He makes a great point by saying this is the reality of life. More and more people, whether they're athletes, former athletes, or even fans of sports, they are going to have some sort of connection with the LGBT community and it's important to acknowledge that.</p>
<p>Watch Johnson's interview with Anderson Cooper here:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QICnCWPXnaw" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>And watch the interview with Oprah Winfrey here:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<iframe frameborder="0" height="360" scrolling="no" src="http://www.oprah.com/common/omplayer_embed.html?article_id=46971" width="640"></iframe></p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">December 6, 2013</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/family">Family</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/religion-and-faith">Religion and Faith</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/sports">Sports</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/magic-johnson">Magic Johnson</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/christian">Christian</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/parents">Parents</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/lgbt">Lgbt</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/sports">Sports</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/lgbt-support-sports">LGBT Support in Sports</a></li>
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Fri, 06 Dec 2013 03:18:44 +0000tarynlittle69242 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/video-magic-johnsons-christian-faith-and-unconditional-love-gay-son#commentsMagic Johnson Teams Up With Rappers to Address Homophobia in Hip Hophttp://www.glaad.org/blog/magic-johnson-teams-rappers-address-homophobia-hip-hop
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p></p><p><img class="media-image" height="186" id="2" style="WIDTH: 248px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 186px" width="248" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/magicjohnson.JPG?itok=3EsC7kyf" alt="" />NBA legend and HIV/AIDS advocate Magic Johnson plans to continue educating the African American community about HIV and hopes to also address anti-gay attitudes in hip hop.</p><br /><p>Johnson recently spoke with <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2011/12/24/magic-johnson-20-years-hiv-aids_n_1157963.html" target="_blank">The Huffington Post</a> about a new project he's developing with rappers to rally against homophobia:</p><br /><blockquote><br /><p>As a hip-hop fan, you realize that homophobia is still an issue everywhere, but especially in the black community. When people are scared to talk about it, that's how the disease spreads. So what have you been doing to get that risk reduced?</p><br /><p>What we're trying to do is reach out to the hip-hop community because they have power — power with their voice, power with that mic in their hand and power with the lyrics that they sing. I have a lot of friends in that industry and so what we're trying to do is rally them to get behind the cause, deliver the message to these young people that HIV and AIDS is big and it's not going anywhere. They can make a difference right away by speaking out, because they have a big fan base.</p><br /><p>So we're finding out that a lot of them want to be involved; they're just looking for a group like ours to latch onto and be a part of it. We haven't really had any push-back from the hip-hop community.</p></blockquote><br /><p>He is currently in talks with various performers and plans on announcing their names at a press conference this year.</p><br /><p><strong>“</strong>It's so important that we rally — not just them, either,” he adds. “I need the hip-hop community but I also need the basketball players and football players. We need a little bit of everybody…”</p><br /><p>GLAAD commends Magic Johnson for leading this important initiative and will post updates as details about the project become public.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">January 4, 2012</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/music">Music</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/african-american">African American</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/hip-hop">hip hop</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/magic-johnson">Magic Johnson</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/hivaids">HIV/AIDS</a></li>
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Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:00:33 +0000kimberleymcleod46557 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/magic-johnson-teams-rappers-address-homophobia-hip-hop#comments